Fenugreek seed extract to lower blood cholesterol

ABSTRACT

A method of lowering blood cholesterol in a non-diabetic patient by at least 30% is described. The method involves orally administering for 30 consecutive days a fenugreek seed extract composition. Various methods of preparation and various formulations are described. Physiologically effective pharmaceutical compositions and beverages containing fenugreek seed extracts and other active components are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/030,886 filed Jan. 10, 2005, now pending; which claims the benefit under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/535,731 filed Jan. 10, 2004. The disclosure of each of the prior applications is considered part of and is incorporated by reference in the disclosure of this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to relatively stable, convenient and patient-friendly compositions of fenugreek seed extract, including pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof. The invention further provides a method for preparing such compositions. The compositions of this invention are advantageously used in methods for treating a non-diabetic individual having a disorder associated with high cholesterol. Specifically, the present invention includes employing fenugreek seed extract, or compositions or formulations comprising them, to lower cholesterol in a non-diabetic to a greater degree compared to conventional preparations. Fenugreek seed extracts, or compositions or formulations comprising them, have several advantages, including: the capability of daily oral dosing, ease of use in suspension form, safety, efficacy, purity, relative stability, and resuspendability over a short period of time.

The invention relates to an extraction process that uses fenugreek, fenugreek extracts or grinds (herein referred to as “juice” or “extract”). The instant compositions also encompass carbonated or non-carbonated beverages and formulations containing the aforementioned fenugreek extract which may further contain minerals, vitamins, nutrients, standard excipients, carriers, physiologically active agents, etc. The formulation may be in a ready-to-drink form in a container, a concentrate, or as a powder mix to be reconstituted with water or other ingestible liquids. Moreover, it may be compounded in the form of a pill, capsule, granules, microparticles, nanoparticles or liposomes.

The instant inventors have discovered that treating non-diabetic patients suffering from high cholesterol levels with the above-mentioned composition(s) significantly lowers the patient's cholesterol levels. While it may be anticipated that any soluble fiber may achieve a decrease in the blood cholesterol level (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,834,990, 5,009,819, 5,558,897 and 5,851,578, incorporated herein by reference), the instant process yields the following unexpected result. While the prior art generally discloses a reduction of several points using “juices” such as those of fenugreek often in the range of 5-15 points (which is in the general range of 2-10%), the inventors compositions(s) derived via the specific extraction process yields invariably reductions in the range of 30% or higher (Table 1). For instance, consuming little amounts of fenugreek “juice” over thirty days of consecutive usage provides dramatic results enumerated herein. This data is unprecedented in the literature. In fact, such a result is neither disclosed in the prior art nor would it be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.

As stated above, the present invention also provides a ready-to-drink beverage or a concentrate in a solid (e.g., powder mix) or a liquid form for reconstitution into a beverage. Furthermore, such beverages may be supplemented with soluble minerals (e.g., calcium), vitamins, soluble fibers, flavors, colors, adjuvants, taste-masking agents, conventional solvents and carriers.

Commercially marketed fiber-containing products are not often well received by patients with respect to taste and appearance of the final product at the time of consumption. The present invention alleviates these problems.

The present invention also has the advantage of simplicity of extraction. The present inventors have discovered that simply boiling fenugreek seeds in water results in an extraction (the “juice” or “extract”) that can be directly employed in the claimed compositions to lower cholesterol to the specified degree.

Furthermore, the instant inventors have also noted the following benefits of using fenugreek “juice” (without any observed side effects):

1) alleviation of a woman's birth pains;

2) aiding women suffering from a lack of estrogen;

3) regulating menstrual period;

4) assisting in milk production in nursing women;

5) treating rheumatism;

6) treating cough and sore throat pain; and

7) acting as a sexual stimulant in women.

TABLE 1 Cholesterol Cholesterol Cholesterol Cholesterol levels following levels following levels following levels prior one month three months one year to fenugreek of fenugreek of fenugreek of fenugreek treatment treatment % treatment % treatment % Case # Age Sex (mg/100 ml) (mg/100 ml) Decrease (mg/100 ml) Decrease (mg/100 ml) Decrease 1 33 M 320 280 12.5 240 25 190 40.6 2 41 M 280 220 21.4 180 33.7 150 46.4 3 48 M 330 280 15 240 27 180 43.5 4 57 M 285 253 10.5 215 24.6 205 28.1 5 52 M 337 243 27.3 200 40.7 165 51 6 44 M 295 265 10.2 215 27.1 198 33 7 48 M 305 285 7 255 16.4 204 33.1 8 39 M 440 380 13.6 285 35.2 205 53.4 9 65 M 276 245 11.2 205 25.7 155 43.8 10 58 M 288 238 17.4 220 23.6 210 27.1 11 48 M 305 245 19.7 185 39.3 175 42.6 12 47 M 265 245 7.5 235 11.3 215 18.9 13 55 M 276 266 3.6 260 5.8 235 14.9 14 62 M 457 352 23 320 30 265 42 15 27 M 305 263 13.1 255 16.4 210 31.1 16 55 M 330 290 12.1 260 21.1 199 39.7 17 25 M 345 245 29 235 32 225 35 18 36 M 294 230 22 210 29 189 36 19 47 M 282 252 11 222 21.3 185 34.4 20 32 M 288 232 19.4 210 27.1 155 46.2 21 53 M 270 235 13 215 20.4 195 28 22 60 M 284 235 17.3 185 35 175 38.4 23 61 M 295 245 17 215 27.1 200 32.2 24 33 M 340 240 29.4 200 41.2 192 44 23 22 M 290 210 27.6 190 34.5 182 37.2 26 42 M 287 255 11.1 220 23.3 185 35.5 27 60 M 290 265 8.6 240 17.2 185 36.2 28 58 M 280 270 3.6 230 17.9 220 21.4 29 40 M 275 245 10.9 220 20 185 32.7 30 32 M 455 380 16.5 290 36.3 220 51.6 31 45 M 295 220 25.4 190 35.6 170 42.4 32 43 M 270 245 9.3 210 22.2 200 26 33 24 M 290 265 8.6 210 27.6 195 32.8 34 47 M 290 245 15.5 205 29.3 175 39.7 35 45 M 297 265 10.8 220 26 200 32.7 36 51 M 330 285 13.6 245 25.8 199 40 37 47 M 280 210 25 200 28.6 185 40 38 78 M 295 235 20.3 215 27.1 193 34.6 39 41 M 260 210 19.2 200 23.1 185 29 40 29 M 299 236 21.1 203 31.5 198 33.8 41 16 M 355 285 19.8 220 38 195 45.1 42 46 M 298 256 14.1 225 24.5 205 31.2 43 24 M 270 223 16.7 203 24 200 26 44 45 M 260 215 17.3 195 25 180 30.8 45 41 M 250 210 16 200 20 190 24 46 55 M 270 245 9.3 215 20.4 195 27.8 47 28 M 280 250 10.7 210 25 200 28.6 48 22 M 310 290 6.5 245 20.9 198 36.1 49 35 M 295 290 0 310 0 295 0 50 48 M 345 355 0 340 0 348 0 51 55 M 295 298 0 290 0 310 0 52 45 M 280 280 0 275 0 285 0 53 38 F 390 320 18 260 33.3 230 41 54 41 F 355 280 21.1 220 38 185 47.9 55 42 F 450 350 22.2 320 28.9 230 48.9 56 47 F 290 270 6.9 220 24.1 175 39.7 57 55 F 425 375 11.8 325 23.5 240 43.5 58 45 F 335 285 14.9 265 20.9 185 44.8 59 43 F 296 221 25.3 185 37.5 155 47.6 60 35 F 270 245 9.2 205 24.1 145 46.3 61 32 F 265 205 22.7 165 37.7 110 58.5 62 31 F 260 195 23 175 32.7 135 48.1 63 37 F 245 195 20.4 155 36.7 125 49 64 35 F 280 240 14.3 192 31.4 180 35.7 65 49 F 285 220 22.8 210 26.3 205 28.1 66 56 F 295 215 27.1 205 30.5 185 37.3 67 41 F 268 210 21.6 196 26.9 145 45.9 68 46 F 295 235 13.6 195 33.9 190 35.6 69 59 F 278 244 12.2 215 22.7 202 27.3 70 55 F 245 185 24.5 155 36.7 135 44.9 71 50 F 560 495 11.6 432 22.9 298 46.3 72 66 F 332 285 14.2 234 29.5 200 39.8 73 44 F 260 220 15.4 195 25 165 36.5 74 59 F 290 240 17.2 195 32.8 165 43.1 75 37 F 305 205 32.8 175 42.6 155 49.2 76 69 F 295 265 10.2 210 28.8 200 32.2 77 55 F 275 255 7.3 215 21.8 195 29.1 78 24 F 290 230 20.7 198 31.7 170 41.4 79 47 F 310 265 14.5 245 21 200 35.5 80 48 F 270 210 22.2 190 29.6 180 33.3 81 38 F 310 255 17.7 220 29 185 40.3 82 57 F 277 210 24.2 185 33.2 155 44 82 33 F 288 245 14.9 198 31.3 185 35.8 84 68 F 280 200 28.6 192 31.4 165 41.1 85 44 F 285 255 10.5 210 26.3 195 31.6 86 37 F 275 225 18.2 205 25.5 173 37.1 87 82 F 310 255 17.7 225 27.4 196 36.8 88 75 F 286 255 10.8 210 26.6 200 30.1 89 53 F 265 210 20.8 195 26.4 190 28.3 90 42 F 280 255 8.9 220 21.4 200 28.6 91 47 F 291 240 17.5 210 27.8 195 33 92 77 F 295 265 10.2 225 23.7 195 33.9 93 44 F 288 265 8 235 18.4 215 25.3 94 48 F 350 285 18.6 235 32.9 200 42.9 95 52 F 285 235 17.5 200 29.8 175 38.6 96 39 F 275 245 10.9 215 21.8 200 27.3 97 57 F 265 210 20.8 200 24.5 180 30.1 98 28 F 285 285 0 275 0 290 0 99 62 F 315 310 0 320 0 305 0

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used in connection with the present invention shall have the meanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular. Generally, nomenclatures used in connection with, and standard techniques described herein are those well known and commonly used in the art.

For millennia, fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) has been used both as a medicine and as a food spice in India and the Middle East. Fenugreek seeds have been used for centuries by practitioners of Indian Ayurvedic medicine as well as traditional Chinese Medicine. The fenugreek plant is native to the Mediterranean areas of Europe and to India. Fenugreek is generally regarded as safe and non-toxic. In India its leaves are cooked as a vegetable and also used as animal feed. Fresh seeds are often used as flavoring or sprouted and eaten as a salad green. Fenugreek seeds have a slight maple taste and are often used in production of imitation maple flavorings. The fenugreek plant produces small white flowers in late summer and after the flowers die, large pods that contain 10-20 irregularly-shaped yellow seeds develop. In some parts of the world, dried fenugreek seeds are ground for a curry spice. However, they may also be boiled to produce a yellow dye, roasted as a coffee substitute, or used to flavor foods and tobacco. After the seeds are collected from the plants, the plants may be chopped and used as fertilizer.

Recent interest in fenugreek focuses on its potential benefits to lower blood sugar in diabetics. In some individuals dietary intake of soluble fiber can slow absorption and subsequent digestion of food that results in a slower rise in blood sugar levels. Some clinical studies have demonstrated that fenugreek seeds reduce blood glucose levels and decrease insulin resistance in mild type-2 diabetic patients. Fenugreek contains the amino acid, 4-hydroxyisoleucine, which appears to increase the body's production of insulin when blood sugar levels are elevated.

Studies have also shown that fenugreek may lower levels of triglycerides and serum cholesterol levels in diabetics. In terms of weight control, the soluble fiber in fenugreek seeds can reduce dietary fat absorption by binding to fatty acids as well as create a sensation of “fullness,” thereby reducing appetite. Finally, because fenugreek seeds contain estrogen-like saponins, blood levels of total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides can be reduced (with no change in HDL). Although it is by no means the only major risk factor, elevated serum cholesterol is associated with a greater risk of heart disease. Cholesterol levels under 200 mg/dl are considered optimal. However a low cholesterol level is not any guarantee of good heart health, since some people with low cholesterol levels do suffer heart attacks. Evaluation of changes in cholesterol requires consultation with a healthcare professional and should include measurement of total serum cholesterol, as well as HDL and LDL cholesterol. The present inventors observed no side effects or poisoning as a result of consuming the fenugreek “juice,” even in large quantities. In fact, it was observed that doping or consuming mega-dose has no effect versus dosing in light quantity. The inventors found that amounts as little as two ounces per day for 30 days provided the therapeutic effect. Other patients consumed as much as about five cups a day to derive the identical beneficial effect.

Fenugreek seed extracts may also have other medical uses. It may reduce the amounts of calcium oxalate in the kidneys, often a contributing factor in kidney stones. In animal studies, fenugreek also appeared to lessen the chance of developing colon cancer by blocking the action of certain enzymes. Topically, the gelatinous texture of fenugreek seed may have some benefit for soothing skin that is irritated by eczema or other conditions. It has also been applied as a warm poultice to relieve muscle aches and gout pain. To be applied topically, fenugreek seeds can be ground into a powder, and then soaked in hot water to form a thick gel. Fenugreek is a mild but effective laxative.

The instant fenugreek extract or “juice” can be combined with any pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. According to this invention, a “pharmaceutically acceptable excipient” is an excipient that acts as filler or a combination of fillers used in pharmaceutical compositions. Preferred excipients included in this category are: 1) amino acids, such as glycine, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, asparagine, glutamine, proline; 2) carbohydrates, e.g., monosaccharides such as glucose, fructose, galactose, mannose, arabinose, xylose, ribose; 3) disaccharides, such as lactose, trehalose, maltose, sucrose; 4) polysaccharides, such as maltodextrins, dextrans, starch, glycogen; 5) alditols, such as mannitol, xylitol, lactitol, sorbitol; 6) glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid; 7) cyclodextrins, such as methyl cyclodextrin, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and alike; 8) inorganic molecules, such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, phosphates of sodium and potassium, boric acid, ammonium carbonate and ammonium phosphate; 9) organic molecules, such as acetates, citrate, ascorbate, lactate; 10) emulsifying or solubilizing/stabilizing agents like acacia, diethanolamine, glyceryl monostearate/lecithin, monoethanolamine, oleic acid, oleyl alcohol, poloxamer, polysorbates, sodium lauryl sulfate, stearic acid, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monostearate, and other sorbitan derivatives, polyoxyl derivatives, wax, polyoxyethylene derivatives, sorbitan derivatives; and 11) viscosity increasing reagents like, agar, alginic acid and its salts, guar gum, pectin, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene oxide, cellulose and its derivatives propylene carbonate, polyethylene glycol, hexylene glycol, tyloxapol. Salts of such compounds may also be used. A further preferred group of excipients includes sucrose, trehalose, lactose, sorbitol, lactitol, mannitol, inositol, salts of sodium and potassium, such as acetate, phosphates, citrates and borate, glycine, arginine, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, hexylene glycol, methoxy polyethylene glycol, gelatin, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, polylysine and polyarginine.

The fenugreek extract or “juice” according to this invention can also be combined with a carrier or excipient, a substance that, when added to a therapeutic, speeds or improves its action. Examples of carriers or excipients include, for example, buffer substances, such as phosphates, glycine, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, partial glyceride mixtures of saturated vegetable fatty acids, waters, salts or electrolytes, such as Protamine sulfate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, zinc slats, colloidal silica, magnesium, trisilicate, cellulose-based substances and polyethylene glycol.

This invention advantageously permits consumption of the instant fenugreek extract or “juice” by a human. In one embodiment, the compositions according to this invention are administered about once a day. In another embodiment, the compositions according to this invention are administered about once a day for a month. In yet another embodiment, the compositions according to this invention are administered for a period longer than a month. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the specific treatment regimen will depend upon factors such as the cholesterol level in the patient, the age and weight of the patient to be treated, general physical condition of the patient and the judgment of the treating physician.

In order that this invention may be better understood, the following examples are set forth. These examples are for the purpose of illustration only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. Numerous other variations of the present invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in view of the disclosure herein. The exact compositions, methods of preparation and embodiments shown are not limiting of the invention, and any obvious modifications will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

Example 1

Extraction may be carried out in one of the following three ways:

Simple Extraction: Soak about ⅓ cup of fenugreek seeds in about 15 cups of water for 8-10 hours. Bring the mixture to a boil for about 5-7 minutes. Cool, strain and refrigerate the extracted “juice.”

Quick Extraction: Combine about ⅓ cup fenugreek seeds in about 15 cups of water and bring to a boil for about 10 minutes. Cool, strain and refrigerate the extracted “juice.”

Preferred Extraction: Grind about ⅓ cup of fenugreek seed to a powder. Combine the resulting powder with about 15 cups of water and bring to a boil for 10 minutes. Cool, strain and refrigerate the extracted “juice.”

Note: The noted boiling times above are only preferred embodiments and may be considerably shorter or longer. Similarly, the proportion of seed to water employed may be scaled appropriately. The simple extraction method described above produces a slightly more opaque product. The best way to store fenugreek is to keep the seed in a cool and dry place. This allows for it to be kept for several months without loss in activity. Once the seed is ground or powdered, it does not keep well and must be used promptly. As soon as the “juice” is extracted, whether from the seed or the grind, it is preferred that it be kept refrigerated.

Example 2

Reconstitution of the extracted “Juice” may be accomplished by the following method:

As stated earlier, while the exact composition of the final beverage may be in the form of the extracted “juice,” tea or carbonated beverage, a small quantity taken each day for 30 consecutive days provides a reduction in blood cholesterol of 30% or more. An individual serving of tea may be prepared by boiling a teaspoon of fresh powdered/ground fenugreek seed in a cup of water for ten minutes. Appropriate flavors, conventional carriers, excipients or additives may be additionally incorporated into the extracted “juice.” Examples include sweeteners (e.g., honey, sugar, aspartame, etc.) or flavors (e.g., lemon, anise, mint, etc.). Additionally, these beverages may be supplemented with various nutrients, vitamins, minerals, pharmaceutically active agents, fibers, liposomes and herbal extracts.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed compositions, methods of preparation and embodiments shown, including any embodiments that may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and examples for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain variations and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure herein, including the specific embodiments. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pill or capsule for lowering blood cholesterol in a human consisting essentially of therapeutically effective amounts of an extract of fenugreek and a component selected from the group consisting of polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, hexylene glycol, methoxy polyethylene glycol, hydroxypropyl beta cyclodextrin, polylysine, and polyarginine.
 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is in a single dosage.
 3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the pill or capsule is contained in a package. 